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Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Govt curbing drug peddling near edu institutions: CM
Panaji: The six cannabis plants confiscated in the first half of the year in Panaji have been sent for analysis to the Botanical Survey of India in Pune, chief minister Pramod Sawant said. The chief minister stated that regular monitoring is conducted to ensure that ganja plants are not cultivated in the state, preventing their supply to students at educational institutions. State govt has directed the staff of the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) to identify these plants and inform the local police for further action. 'Two different cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act are registered at the Panaji police station,' Sawant said. 'Currently, both cases are under investigation, with suspected live ganja plants seized from a public place.' Sawant mentioned that no specific hotspots have been identified as drug trafficking sites in the state. However, regular patrolling is maintained, and whenever any information is received, cases are registered against the cultivators of such plants. He said that surveillance is maintained across areas, and mass awareness has been created among the public. 'Regular police patrolling is carried out to prevent the cultivation of ganja plants, ensuring that they are not made available at schools and other educational institutions, as well as anywhere in the state,' Sawant said. In addition, awareness campaigns and workshops regarding cannabis plants and other drugs are conducted at schools and other educational institutions to sensitise students to the harmful effects of drug use, the CM said. 'It has been decided during the narco-coordination meeting to create awareness for the sanitary staff of the CCP regarding the growth of such plants in their areas and to identify these plants and inform the local police for further action,' the CM said. Over the past three and a half years, Goa police registered 14 narcotics cases and arrested 18 persons for being in illegal possession of drugs near schools and colleges. Sawant said school principals are encouraged to report any such matters to local police for necessary action. Of the 18 arrested, three persons are from Goa, 12 are non-Goans, and three are foreigners.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Unabated Lantana camara invasion in Himachal needs swifter, more rigorous response
Lantana camara, an invasive alien species introduced decades ago as an ornamental plant, now infests approximately 3,25,282 hectares of forests in Himachal Pradesh, posing a threat to the State's native biodiversity. Even though the Forest Department has achieved significant progress by clearing 51,114.35 hectares of Lantana camara since 2009-10, ecologists are calling for faster, more rigorous action to curb the spread of the noxious weed. Lantana, a pantropical weed species, is native to the tropical and sub-tropical regions of Central and South America. In India, it was first introduced in the early 18th century, and since then, it has invaded almost all the tropical areas across the country, including Himachal Pradesh. According to the State Forest Department, a survey was carried out in 2010-11 and 2015-16 to asses the extent and level of invasion, which showed forest areas of around 2,35,491.93 hectares as being significantly infested with lantana, and varying intensity of infestation in seven territorial circles, namely, Dharamshala, Nahan, Hamirpur, Chamba, Bilaspur, Mandi, and Shimla. However, according to the India State of Forest Report 2023, the extent of Lantana camara infestation inside the recorded forest area in Himachal Pradesh is estimated to be around 3,252.82 sq. km. or 3,25,282 hectares. Kuldip Dogra, a noted taxonomist, acknowledged the progress made by the Forest Department in clearing lantana, which 'offers hope' in tackling the menace, but emphasised the need for an integrated, transdisciplinary, time-bound approach by involving stakeholders and members of civil society to create livelihood opportunities in the process of eradicating Lantana camara. 'There's no doubt that the area under alien invasive plant species, such as lantana, is on the rise, which is threatening the rich, native species diversity. To control the spread of lantana, it's important that stakeholders are involved — be it locals, industrialists, civil society organisations, etc. — and a mechanism evolved to enhance their livelihood options,' Mr. Dogra, Scientist at the Botanical Survey of India, High Altitude Western Himalayan Regional Centre in Solan district, told The Hindu. 'Lantana's management can be achieved by using its biomass for socioeconomic purposes — its timber for making furniture and also as fuelwood, etc. Its biomass can be used to produce organic compost and vermicompost, which will be better for organic farming and an alternative to inorganic manures available in the market,' he added. 'However, the cultivation of alien invasive plant species in home gardens, for landscaping, or for other economic purposes, and around the National and State Highways should be strictly avoided to prevent their further spread and establishment. Pharmaceutical companies should be encouraged to collect these species from the wild to extract potent alkaloids to be used for different industry purposes. Its management should be focused strongly on prevention, early detection and eradication strategies. Most importantly, the eradication programme should be carried out within stricter timelines by involving all the stakeholders, and increasing momentum to achieve optimal outcomes,' he added. The State Forest Department's policy document for managing Lantana camara points out that this noxious, exotic weed aggressively proliferates and forms a dense mesh of bushes. This happens excessively at the edges of forests having sparse canopies. Lantana camara is known to produce allelochemicals that restrict the growth of other species under its canopy. Hence, it replaces native flora, resulting in homogeneous vegetation, significantly contributing to decline in biodiversity. 'We have eradicated lantana in 51,114.35 hectares so far since 2009-10. The removal of lantana is being done through the 'cut root stock' method, and to ensure that lantana doesn't invade again, we are planting native species as well. We are making headway. On average, every year, we are expecting to eradicate lantana on 1,000 hectares of forest,' Girish Hosur, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Himachal Pradesh, said. 'The immediate focus should be to contain the speed of spread of lantana. It has been observed that it has been infesting from lower areas towards higher regions, which is worrying. The 'cut root stock' method is good, but the eradication should be tackled at the higher elevation first, so that the infestation could be restricted to the lower areas only, and then gradually rehabilitate all the areas with native species,' G.S. Goraya, researcher on floral diversity and former Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Himachal Pradesh, said.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Neelakurinji Bloom: No Proposals From Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka to Declare It a Threatened Species
Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka have not proposed declaring neelakurinji a threatened species under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, says Botanical Survey of India Despite neelakurinji's famed 12-year bloom cycle and declining populations, Tamil Nadu , Kerala and Karnataka have not proposed declaring it a threatened species under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) told the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday. The NGT had in Aug 2024 registered a suo motu case based on a report that neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) had been identified as Vulnerable (Criteria A2c) under the IUCN Red List following its first-ever global assessment. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai The NGT noted that the endemic shrub of the southwest Indian montane grasslands was reported to have lost almost 40% of its habitat, with remaining areas threatened by tea and softwood plantations, invasive eucalyptus and black wattle species, urbanisation, infrastructure projects, afforestation programmes, and climate change. Peermade in Kerala was cited as one of the locations where recent blooming was reported. The Tribunal directed BSI, Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, and the ministry of environment, forest and climate change to respond and assist in determining whether environmental and biodiversity laws were being complied with in the context of neelakurinji conservation. In its submission on July 15, BSI stated that though neelakurinji has been reported as vulnerable globally, no formal proposal from any state, including Tamil Nadu, has been received to notify it as threatened under national law. BSI disputed reports of a 40% population decline, asserting that no conclusive scientific data exists to support that figure and indicated the need for a comprehensive reassessment across affected habitats. Contrary to the long-held view that neelakurinji grows at elevations between 1,340m and 2,600m, BSI pointed routecent field records show the plant grows at altitudes as low as 1,100m, a habitat shift that warrants closer investigation. BSI also said most subpopulations remain fragmented, with some having fewer than 500 plants, and that factors such as habitat loss, declining pollinator interactions, and the long 12-year flowering cycle continue to threaten the species. It confirmed that neelakurinji occurs in more than 34 locations, many outside protected areas, including on revenue land, further complicating conservation strategies.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
BSI records 245 new species of plants
1 2 Kolkata: The Botanical Survey of India (BSI) reported the addition of 433 new taxa to the Indian flora in 2024, including 245 new species and 188 new distributional records. These findings were published in the latest volume of Plant Discoveries 2024, released by Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav during the inauguration of the Animal Taxonomic Summit. The minister of state for environment, forest and climate change, Kirti Vardhan Singh, inaugurated the newly developed Plant Taxonomy Section at the Indian Botanic Garden in Howrah on Friday. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata The open-air display features over 500 plant species from 175 families. Each plant group, arranged scientifically, is tagged with QR codes, offering instant access to scientific names, ecological data and distribution maps. During his visit, the minister planted a Sindoor plant (Bixa orellana L.) under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign. The plantation was dedicated to Operation Sindoor, a tribute to the valour of India's Armed Forces.
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
BU gets Prakriti Mitra award for green campus drive
1 2 Berhampur: State govt has recognised the green campus drive launched by Berhampur University by selecting it for the Prakruti Mitra award for 2024-25. Berhampur is the only university among 185 awardees. The award is presented to organisations, including several schools, colleges, volunteer organizations and individuals for their contribution towards the protection of environment, plantation and conservation, among others. Out of the 185 awardees, Ganjam district has the highest of 21, including Berhampur University, Indian Coast Guard, Chhatrapur and Rushikulya sea turtle protection committee. A cash award of Rs 20,000 and a certificate would be presented to each awardee. "We are happy as the govt recognised our drive for a green campus. The award will encourage students and teachers to participate in the drive," said Geetanjali Dash, vice-chancellor, Berhampur University. "We have planted over 2,000 saplings of 185 species on the campus as part of the drive," said Padmalochan Murmu, assistant professor of botany and coordinator of the drive. He said they have planned to plant all 5,370 species available in the state on the campus in the next two years. "Plantation of all species will not only make the campus green, but also help researchers and students, especially botany, to study the plants," he added. Centre has sanctioned around Rs 32.48 lakh to the university for conservation and multiplication of selected threatened endemic plants of south Odisha. The ministry of environment, forests and climate change has released Rs 11.36 lakh — the first instalment of the three-year project — to the university through Botanical Survey of India (BSI) recently, sources said. "Under the project, the university will develop a botanical garden of rare, endangered and threatened plant species in around 4 acres of land," said Dash.
